01-13-04 WSJanuary 13, 2004
Page 1
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION -January 13, 2004
A work session of the Hopkins City Council was called to order by Mayor Gene Maxwell
at 6:30 p.m. on January 13, 2004, at the City Hall. Council members Brausen, Johnson, Rowan
and Thompson were present. City personnel present were: City Manager Steve Mielke, Assistant
City Manager Jim Genellie; Facilities Director Jay Strachota and Public Works Director Steve
Stadler. Also present were Steve Barberio of Stages and Ted Sauer of Hopkins School District.
Mainstreet School of Performing Arts Update
Mr. Barberio handed out the brochure for the school. The planned opening date is August
30 as its terms will be concurrent with other Hopkins district schools. At first it will have only
grades 9 and 10, with one upper grade added each of the next two years. Stages will be the
provider for the arts as it is for Fair School in Crystal, but the Hopkins school district is the
district sponsor and will oversee finances and student supervision. The school will be a charter
school and a nonprofit corporation. Mr. Sauer said a survey had shown high interest for such a
school in the Hopkins school district. Mr. Barberio said St. Joseph's school is vacating their
Mainstreet school, so they will be leasing their building on a ten-year lease with aten-year option
at the end. A formal lease will be signed this spring. The church is doing extensive remodeling to
get the building to code. The money will be repaid over the term of the lease. Karen Charles will
be the principal. Most funds will be state aid; a federal grant will cover start-up costs. Full
capacity will be 416. Mr. Sauer added 90 students are already enrolled; the goal is 216. Basic
curriculum will be like the Hopkins school district's. Answering Council questions, Mr. Barberio
and Mr. Sauer said there will be 8 full-time teachers at start-up. A motivating factor was to make
better use of HCA during daytime hours; $25,000 will be spent per school year for HCA time;
much of the scheduling has already been worked out. The present St. Joseph's gym will be divided
into a dance area and a music area. Emphasis will be on student creativity - drama will be
student-written, rather than a "school band" there will be groups such as a jazz combo performing
their own music. Performances will usually be at HCA. Parking will be on St. Joseph's lot.
Students will come from all over, but the majority will be from western suburbs. The Perpich
School is not a problem as it is a state school with mandated congressional district enrollment.
Mr. Mielke added he sees the city's role as participant, not the leader. If expansion is
needed in the future, the city may participate more.
Mayor Maxwell said he would like the city attorney to be in on the drawing up of the lease
from the beginning due to HCA involvement.
Excelsior Blvd. Phase 2 Landscaping Plan Amendments
Mr. Stadler said staff would like to reduce the $220,000 by $60,000. Median landscaping
would stay the same. Answering questions, he said reduced landscaping areas would be sodded;
most of these areas are adjacent to the trail system. The money amounts are solid as they are based
on per plant costs in the original bid as determined by Hennepin County. The money saved,
however, would be Hopkins money, not County money. General discussion followed.
General Consensus: The reductions should be made, with the savings reserved incase some
plantings need to be added later. There is no need to go to the neighborhood on this change.
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Mr. Stadler informed Council there will be work on Excelsior Blvd. through next summer.
Mr. Mielke added Luther is planning to make landscaping improvements up to the bus stop on
their new property. Mayor Maxwell said he would like the Council to get follow-up with Luther
Companies on their schedule.
Prevailing Wage Ordinance
Mr. Genellie noted wages are already under state and federal rules. Even if an ordinance is
passed, it will not affect the facilities projects as bids have already been let. It would apply only to
future construction, probably mostly street reconstruction that does not involve state aid. Such
ordinances are usually passed only by large cities; the only one he knows of about Hopkins' size is
White Bear Lake, and they say the ordinance has had little impact for them. Staff sees no reason to
pass such an ordinance. Answering Mr. Brausen, Mr. Genellie said prevailing wage isn't the
same as how the city determines how its non-union employees get paid in that market is the major
determiner for the city. Mr. Mielke added the theory is that not having the ordinance would help
non-union contractors, but there have not been any non-union bidders on street reconstruction. He
added the major issue is should the city set wages. Mr. Stadler said he feels if the plumbers union
can come and present their arguments, they will feel good.
General Consensus was representatives of both sides should be given time to speak at a
Council meeting in April or May. In the meantime staff and Kraus-Anderson should look at how
such an ordinance would have affected the facilities projects.
Other
Mr. Mielke said there will be no February 10 work session as only three members could
attend.
Steve Stadler asked about presentation of recycling. General Consensus was it should be a
Council presentation. Mr. Brausen said good news should get more coverage at Council meetings,
citing the $50,000 grant for the Depot which was on the consent agenda and got mentioned only
because a question was raised.
Employee negotiations are underway. One or two are close to completion, but the union
wants atwo-year contract. Mr. Genellie said they are considering a split 3 % (1'h % raise in
January; 1'/z % raise in July) for 2004 and 3 % on January 1 for 2005. He added 3 % seems to be
the average for area cities. Another consideration is that 3 bargaining units have binding
arbitration. General Consensus was more information is needed at a closed discussion after the
next Council meeting. Specific numbers are needed for split year vs. full year 3 %. Ms. Johnson
asked that if there is a question on merit pay, it can be brought up.
Mr. Thompson asked for information on LGA moneys. Mr. Brausen noted grandfathering
is the key in the history of it for Hopkins.
Mr. Thompson noted cars with expired tags are sitting out in front of Transportation
Electronics.
Ms. Johnson said she received an invitation to the business council meeting next Tuesday.
Mr. Mielke noted he regularly attends and gives them updates.
Mr. Rowan asked about the squad car purchases issue. Mr. Mielke said the information
will be sent to Virgil. General Consensus was when the information is sent, Virgil should be asked
to discuss the issue. Then the issue should be put on a Council agenda so it is on the record.
Mayor Maxwell asked what the Council wants to accomplish in the coming year. Ms.
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Johnson said she feels strongly the last year needs to be really looked at first. General discussion
followed. Mr. Brausen said he felt very frustrated at the end of the year; he feels communication
with the rank-and-file employees is a major issue. General Consensus was to have a preliminary
discussion at the January 27 work session, starting at 5:30 with supper, and discussion starting at
6:00. On February 21 there should be a follow-up session at a different setting, such as the
Pavilion, with 8:30 am juice and rolls and 9:00 discussion start. Communication should be a major
theme.
Mr. Brausen asked that the Depot come in with end-of--year numbers. Discussion of 35'
lots needs to be finished. He wants ayes/no answer as to whether Inspections inspects duplexes on
a two-year basis.
Mayor Maxwell asked for ideas on State of the City. Mr. Mielke suggested a preview of
the next year, Mainstreet School, transportation (Shady Oak, Excelsior Blvd., 73/5). Mr. Brausen
suggested updating different plans and reviewing boards and commissions. Mayor Maxwell
mentioned development projects. Mr. Rowan added new businesses in town (including
Marketplace). Mayor Maxwell said he felt Council should ask the community "Where do you want
to go?"; Mr. Mielke said a business survey could be done and the results discussed. Publicity was
discussed; Ms. Johnson said it should be put in the local paper. Mr. Mielke suggested sending out
a letter; Mayor Maxwell suggested getting HBCA's mailing list. Mr. Mielke suggested holding it
at the Pavilion meeting room.
Mayor Maxwell asked for Police Review Committee clarification at a future session.
Mr. Mielke said AGA picked a site in Plymouth. SuperValu is very frustrated and wants to
discuss its relationship with Hopkins.
Mr. Thompson moved adjournment. Ms. Johnson seconded. Meeting adjourned at 9:35
p.m
Kasey Kester, Secretary
ATTEST:
i~` ~'~
Euge J. axwell, Mayor